Search Results

This paper analyzed the mechanisms of injury in high speed, right-lateral impacts of stock car auto racing, and interaction of the occupant and the seat system for the purpose of reducing the risk of injury, primarily rib fractures. Many safety improvements have been made to stock car racing recently, including the Head and Neck Support devices (HANS®), the 6-point restraint harnesses, and the implementation of the SAFER Barrier. These improvements have contributed greatly to mitigating injury during the race crash event. However, there is still potential to improve the seat structure and the understanding of the interaction between the driver and the seat in the continuation of making racing safety improvements. This is particularly true in the case of right-lateral impacts where the primary interaction is between the seat supports and the driver and where the chest is the primary region of injury.

The Congress directed the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Civil Tiltrotor Development Advisory Committee (CTRDAC). This committee examined the costs, technical feasibility, and economic viability of developing civil tiltrotor (CTR) aircraft; the integration of CTR aircraft into the national transportation system; and the resulting national economic benefits. The CTRDAC also determined what further research and development (R&D) and regulatory changes are needed and recommended how CTR aircraft and related infrastructure development costs should be allocated between government and industry. This paper is based on the CTRDAC Report to Congress recommending the creation of a public/private partnership and proceeding with an integrated CTR program. Whether this occurs will be dependent on whether Congress accepts these recommendations and provides funding for the Federal portion of this cost-shared program.